[Silence stretches on after the man offers his name. Jasper hardly feels ready to shake the proverbial hand of a man he barely knows; his experience of making friends limited to one above all others. There is a little moment of doubt - where his nose wrinkles and his lips curl - but he bows his head in acknowledgement. There is a world of difference between an acquaintance and a friend.
He sighs. Friends. He used to be able to appreciate them.]
Jasper.
[Their names sound alike; enough to the point of confusion. What else should he say?]
no subject
He sighs. Friends. He used to be able to appreciate them.]
Jasper.
[Their names sound alike; enough to the point of confusion. What else should he say?]